FAQ@DLL
Help With Your Heating
Bill
DLL addresses the issue
by the Disability Linkage Line
Staff
Many Minnesotans are having
financial trouble this summer for a surprising reason: paying their
heating bills. Though it is illegal for the gas and electric companies
to shut off service between October 15 and April 15 due to the state’s
Cold Weather Rule, the gas companies generally are allowed to shut
off service once the calendar reaches April 16. And due to the high
cost of gas this past winter, an unusually high number of people
are not able to pay off their past-due bills. Because of this, the
Disability Linkage Line (DLL) has been getting an increased number
of calls from people looking for help to prevent their shut off.
Q: I received a shut-off notice. What do I do?
A: Don’t ignore
it! If you are having problems paying, it is always best to first
contact your energy company. Ask them if they have any programs
to help reduce your utility costs. Also try to establish some sort
of payment plan to avoid reconnection fees. In most cases, companies
will accept partial payment to prevent shutoff rather than requiring
the balance in full. If you have a pending application with one
of the energy assistance programs, let the company know. Most utility
companies will hold shut off if they know.
Also let your utility
company know if you need utilities for medical reasons. If your
health and safety is jeopardized by a shut off, you may qualify
for up to three medical emergency holds within a 12-month period.
To meet eligibility, you will need to provide a physician’s
medical certificate verifying medical needs. You will also need
to enter into a reasonable payment arrangement.
Here are a few of the programs that help with utility costs for
customers who meet guidelines.
• The Energy Assistance
Program (EAP) helps pay home-heating costs. FFI: Minnesota residents
call 1-800-657-3710.
• The Salvation Army’s
HeatShare Program provides emergency assistance with heating and
utility bills on a year-round basis. Funds may be used for natural
gas, oil, propane, wood, electricity and emergency furnace repairs.
Special consideration is given to people with disabilities and
the elderly. FFI: www.heatshare-mn.org, 1-800-842-7279.
• The Gas Affordability Program is a new pilot program from
CenterPoint Energy. The plan, which began in May, is designed to
help qualifying customers lower their monthly natural gas bills and
pay past-due balances. It credits a customer’s account for
gas charges that are greater than six percent of the customer’s
annual income. In addition, the program helps customers pay their
past-due balances by offering matching credit to the amount paid
by the customer in monthly installments. According to the plan, CenterPoint
Energy will not shut off participating customers’ natural gas
service during the program year, even if a past-due balance exists,
provided the customers make agreed-upon payments. FFI: CenterPoint
Energy, 612-372-4727, 800-245-2377 or (TDD) 888-321-4997
If you have additional
questions about community resources, please call DLL at 1-866-333-2466.
DLL provides free, disability-related information and assistance
for Minnesotans. Disability Linkage Line does not endorse any particular
web site or provider. They assume no responsibility for transactions
between the readers of this article and listed organizations. ![]()
